Read More

"The weather can change quickly and a car can become lethal, I've discovered that the hard way," he said.

"If in doubt, leave your dogs at home."

All three of his dogs died on June 16 2016. Mr Theobald admitted causing unnecessary suffering to his three pets by confining them in an environment which was detrimental to their well-being and led to their death.

He was given a suspended 18-week prison sentence suspended for two years, banned from keeping animals for 10 years and ordered to pay £1,900 in fines and costs at a hearing at Peterborough Magistrates' Court in September 2016.

Read More

While this is down from 8,779 the previous year, the charity said the number is still worryingly high.

RSPCA inspector Justin Stubbs, who investigated Daisy, Rascal and Mitch's deaths, said: "It's staggering to think that more than 7,000 people called us last year due to concerns about animals in the heat and most of these will have been dogs left in cars.

"Our message has been loud and clear for years: don't leave dogs alone in parked cars on warm days."

He urged people to dial 999 if they spot a distressed animal in a vehicle.